WE DID IT AGAIN!!--WE WERE RECENTLY HONORED WITH NATIONAL PRESS CLUB AWARDS FOR OUR CRUISE COVERAGE

I am pleased to announce that my husband Tony and I have been honored again this year by the San Diego Press Club for our work on USATODAY and 10Best.com in the national 2023 Press Club Excellence in Journalism award competition. This nationwide competition honors the best of the best in travel journalism and we are thankful for this recognition of our efforts to bring original photos and first-hand narrative to our readers.

Come Aboard the Seabourn Venture on its Epic Cruise through Antarctica

Words can’t describe what your eyes will see on this epic voyage through the Patagonia Ice Fields as you make your way to the frozen wonders of Antarctica. Every day is a new adventure, which you can choose to enjoy from the comfort of your luxury cabin, or trekking through trails in search of penguin colonies, shipwrecks, waterfalls, and incredible natural wonders.

Photo credit: Joanne DiBona

On board Holland America’s Noordam, you can visit the CITY OF MURALS IN CHRISTCHURCH, NZ

Our Holland America cruise from Sydney, Australia to New Zealand brought us to so many fascinating destinations along the way. One of our most interesting ports of call was the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. The central city is filled with cutting-edge architecture, truly amazing street art, a not-to-be-missed botanical garden, a lovely river walk, thermal pools, great shopping, a free trolley through the historic city, and so much more!

Photo credit: Tony DiBona. This red brick mural, created by local artist Rone, is one of the most famous in Christchurch, the City of Murals.

Art and Wine Onboard the Classic Holland America Noordam

Stepping aboard the Holland America Noordam is like stepping back in time—with all the modern amenities.

In addition to fine dining, first-rate entertainment, extensive onboard activities, luxurious accommodations and premier service, a cruise on the Noordam will definitely remain in your travel memories long after you return home.

The ship’s smaller size, with under 2,000 passengers, definitely allows you to meet with fellow travelers from around the world in intimate settings to enhance your cruise experience.

Our first impression a few days onboard was the proliferation of museum-quality art work that was featured on all areas of the ship. As veteran cruise journalists, we must admit this was a lovely invitation to relax and soak in the art, both modern and centuries-old, as we walked down the passageways and stairwells of the ship.

Enjoy some of the photos of the exquisite works of art we discovered on board the Holland America Noordam. If you have the opportunity to sail on this classic ship, make sure to taste some of the exquisite wines as described below.

Cheers to art and wine!

OVERSEAS ADVENTURE TRAVEL RECEIVES TRAVEL & LEISURE MAGAZINE’S 2023 WORLD'S BEST AWARDS

Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.), the leader in personalized small group and solo travel, announced that it has received an award in the Best Intimate-ship Ocean Cruise Lines category in the Travel + Leisure 2023 World’s Best Awards.

Small ships, access to lesser-visited ports
O.A.T appeals to the savvy traveler travelers who wish to enjoy an intimate cruise that can access smaller, more unique ports than other mega liners cannot.

Arethusa Island, Tremti Island Italy Photo courtesy O.A.T

With its small group size of no more than 16 travelers by land and 25 by ship, O.A.T. takes travelers off the beaten path where big tour groups cannot go. O.A.T. travelers stay in intimate lodgings unique to their destination, travel like locals do, and slip seamlessly into local life. Local Trip Experience Leaders offer firsthand insights and support to travelers throughout the journey.

O.A.T. itineraries are designed to focus on cultural connections—from sharing meals with families during Home-Hosted Visits and spending A Day in the Life of people who live in the regions visited, to discussing modern-day Controversial Topics with local experts and visiting Grand Circle Foundation sites such as schools, women’s co-ops, and more.

In addition, O.A.T travelers enjoy the choice to personalize their experience—from arriving early to extending time abroad with trip extensions—to make the most of their vacation. Single supplements are also available.
 

To learn more about O.A.T., visit www.oattravel.com or call 1-800-955-1925.